Nora Carr (2017-2018)
Barry Gaskins Award
The Barry Gaskins Service Award
for outstanding contributions to school public relations
The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) is proud to present its 2017-2018 Barry Gaskins Service Award to Dr. Nora Carr, APR, who currently serves as chief of staff for Guilford County Schools in Greensboro.
People in school public relations know Nora – either personally or by reputation – as a leading expert in communications, strategic planning, and organization development. Most important, she has dedicated her life to being an advocate for public education. Through her work, she improves the lives of others, supports her colleagues in any way, strives to tell our success stories, and so much more.
Nora began her career in healthcare communications before moving into school public relations. She served twice as the chief communications officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and also served as interim superintendent for Guilford County Schools. In addition to winning more than 200 local, state, and national awards for communications excellence, she was elected to serve as president of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for 2013-2014.
While Nora brings out the best in education, she has been there during troubling times. She was called in to lead communications and media relations for schools in Moore, Oklahoma when tornadoes devastated the community, and she was there to help at Columbine High School.
Nora is known as smart, funny, and one of the most caring people you’ll ever meet. She is a mentor and friend to many, and her influence reaches far and wide. She is the consummate school PR professional and extremely deserving of NCSPRA’s most prestigious award.
Without a doubt, Barry would be extremely proud of our winner for 2017-2018 – Nora Carr.
■ About the Award
The Barry Gaskins Service Award is the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the North Carolina School Public Relations Association. The award is named in memory of Barry Gaskins, the first public information officer for Pitt County Schools in Greenville, who was known to so many people as “Mr. School Public Relations.”
Barry was a trailblazer in our field, and he helped to put the North Carolina chapter on the map. Barry Gaskins is the reason why North Carolina is viewed as one of the top state chapters in the country.
He served our state organization so well and even took his service, leadership, and vision to the national level, serving as president of the National School Public Relations Association from 2001 until 2002.
Barry died unexpectedly in March 2003 at the age of 49. His passing was a shock to PR people across the country. While Barry is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the Barry Gaskins Award.
Click here for more information and a list of past winners.
